Scientists travel to Richland to discuss the next generation of super computers

RICHLAND, Wash. - Renowned scientists from across the world are in Richland discussing the future of super computers.

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory is hosting the meeting, bringing together about 30 researchers from national labs and universities who are all using and developing a new computing system by Data Vortex.

"We've worked alone so sequestered for so long and finally we have a machine out. And our goal was to put it in a place where the people were smart, which we did. And now let's talk... so this is our first 'let's talk'," said Coke Reed, a mathematician with Data Vortex.

Some say the Data Vortex concept in data communications could bring about the next generation of computing.

"We are at a point where our technology, the physical technology, will not get better in the near future. So we have to find different ways to take advantage of that same technology, using much more improved methods," said Thomas Sterling, a professor at Indiana University.

Sterling directs research in super computing. He said the Data Vortex network is an opportunity that could satisfy needs of future computing problems.

The group is looking at the future architecture of computing and what can be changed to have the most impact on the next generation of science.

"We sort of think of the computer itself as a scientific instrument, and a very specialized scientific instrument for advancing our understanding of science for challenges in energy and the environment and national security," said John Johnson, Deputy Division Director of Advanced Computing, Math and Data at PNNL.